Sunday, April 1, 2012

I am a Democrat out of gratefulness to those who struggled for justice before me and a sense of obligation to those who will come after me. I am a Democrat because I believe all Americans, not just the privileged, should have access to a quality education, excellent and comprehensive healthcare, affordable housing and a social network to aid us when the unthinkable occurs. I am a Democrat because I believe our country should have a strong and modern infrastructure and I am a Democrat because I believe we should be leading the world in protecting the environment, developing alternate sources of energy and spending our money wisely in projects that have made us great like NASA, the Hoover Dam and the Interstate Highway system. Projects like these, funded by all Americans, not only addressed their purposes well but also have allowed the entrepreneurs among us to build on our successes to become successful themselves. The endeavors of our government have melded well with private enterprise; they have engaged in a symbiotic relationship that has produced Teflon, Tang, the microchip and the Internet. The dynamic relationship between the two has created America’s greatness.

No American has done it alone; all have relied on the sacrifices and hard work of those who have gone before them. A Democrat remembers that this country was built by those “yearning to breathe free”, and believes in the idea of a “melting pot,” of Americans struggling to build a life for our families and ourselves.

A Democrat is concerned about the demise of the middle class and the erosion of benefits for middle class Americans. Our country is becoming more and more stratified with wealth accumulating at the top. Their accumulated wealth is being used politically, and to the detriment of America, to ensure that the stream of cash continues in increasing waves upward toward the wealthy and at the expense of middle class Americans.

A Democrat’s America does not seek to extract a profit from every human transaction, as our country currently seems to do. A Democrat’s America supports a free and fair market economy but we strongly believe in the just role of our government. In our increasingly complex society, we must ensure all Americans continue to enjoy affordable education, a protected environment, excellent health care, a safe and modern infrastructure and sound and sustainable energy policies. Despite the short sighted calls for tax cuts, the misuse of the word “socialism” and the memory challenged claims that government programs do not work, we need a strong government and a strong middle class to ensure that we continue to be a land of opportunity for all.

"And this is the cause of my life -- new hope that we will break the old gridlock and guarantee that every American -- north, south, east, west, young, old -- will have decent, quality health care as a fundamental right and not a privilege. "Ted Kennedy